Early survey shows Eric Garcetti, then Wendy Greuel as front-runners for mayor

Setting a baseline for the March 5 mayoral primary, a survey of voters conducted during the election last month places Councilman Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel as the front-runners in an election considered wide open.

The poll released Monday by the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University surveyed more than 1,100 city residents on their choices for mayor and other city offices on the spring ballot.

Garcetti, a city councilman for 11 years, came out on top with 36 percent in the race to replace termed-out Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Greuel, a councilwoman for seven years and controller since 2009, came in next with 32 percent.

Councilwoman Jan Perry received 15 percent, and Kevin James, a former federal prosecutor and radio talk show host, had 8.7 percent.

"What we found is (Garcetti) is running strong among all groups and he does better in the San Fernando Valley than (Greuel) does in the rest of the city," said Bill Carrick, campaign manager for Garcetti.

He added that Greuel also is relying on support from Republicans, who are expected to go with James in the primary election.

"We have found when Republicans know a Republican is in the race, they tend to go with him," said Doug Herman, a Garcetti adviser.

However, the other campaigns said the survey does not mean much now because it is still early in the race.

"It will be a completely different electorate in March than in November," said Eric Hacopian, campaign manager for Perry. "To be generous, the only thing it shows is that this is a wide-open race."

Hacopian cited the changing dynamics of the race, including that James is expected to receive $4 million to $5 million from a super PAC to boost his candidacy.

"If that money does come through, it will be hard to hold him under 15 percent, which changes everything in the race," Hacopian said.

Greuel's campaign manager John Shallman said the survey also showed Greuel winning in a runoff against Garcetti.

"It looks to me like the Garcetti campaign is grasping for whatever it can at this point," Shallman said. "Last week, they lost the endorsement of (Sen.) Barbara Boxer and a number of Latinos to Greuel."

James said he is encouraged by the open nature of the race.

"The high volume of undecided voters bodes well for my campaign as the only City Hall outsider," James said. "We simply have to show the voters there is an alternative choice to the status quo."

LMU center director Fernando Guerra, who oversaw the study, said he didn't disagree with the criticism of the survey.

"It is very early and things will change," Guerra said. "That's what elections are about. We think this is a good starting point to show what voters are thinking."

The survey also showed City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and former Assemblyman Mike Feuer are locked in what is expected to be a tight race for city attorney next March 5, while Councilman Dennis Zine is the favorite for city controller.

Trutanich, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for district attorney earlier this year, still remained the top choice of voters with 36 percent compared to 32 percent for Feuer. Deputy City Attorney Eduardo Angeles, who has since dropped out of the race, received 11 percent as did private attorney Greg Smith.

In the race for controller, Zine was the choice of 49 percent of those questioned, with Analila Joya, a disability advocate-teacher, getting 14.6 percent, neighborhood council member Ron Galperin at 13 percent and Cary Brazeman at 10.9 percent.